Moving in silence for a year, Canadian authorities arrested six of the masterminds behind Canada’s biggest gold heist ever on April 17th. With warrants out on three others, it is only a matter of time until they have them all in shackles. A year to the date prior, on April 17th, 2023, they struck the Toronto Pearson International Airport in Ontario, according to a statement from the Peel Regional Police (PRP) in Ontario.
Taking 6,600 pure gold bars collectively worth CA$ 20 million ($14.5 million) and another CA$ 2.5 million ($1.8 million) in foreign currency that had arrived by air would not be easy. Using a five-ton truck, Durante King-Mclean gave a fake airway bill to an Air Canada cargo employee. According to PRP Deputy Sergeant Mike Mavity, workers loaded the truck per the bill.
Caught on surveillance video exiting the facility and going out on various routes the truck eventually got to rural Ontario and away from surveillance. With nobody reporting the missing money for 24 hours and the location of their disappearance, they got a good head start. The Brink’s Canada truck that was supposed to receive the shipment showed up hours after it left, and the search was on.
Investigators visited 225 businesses and residences to recover the allegedly stolen gold. Using 37 search warrants, they recovered CA$ 430,000 (about $312,000), money they say was obtained from selling the stolen gold. Additionally, they recovered six gold bracelets they pegged at $89,000 as well as tools for breaking down and reforming the gold like smelting pots, casts, and molds. Receipts detailing their financial profits from the theft were also found. From press conference photos one list totaled CA$ 9.943 million (about $7.2 million) and the other CA$10.023 million (about $7.3 million).
One Air Canada employee and a jewelry store employee were among the six Canadians who were arrested and conditionally released. Facing a total of 19 charges, they are facing a significant time if convicted. Among the three still at large is another Air Canada employee.
